already "done" several districts to the tune of $20 per map. If there is any legal way to prevent such outrageous waste of public money, I should like to know it.

LEHIGH-Supt. Rupp: The classes were much smaller this year than formerly. I granted one hundred and thirteen provisional certificates and one professional. Algebra and Civil Government caused a

but those who presented themselves, with a few exceptions, were well prepared in those branches. To supply our schools with teachers for the next term, we were obliged to bring in quite a number from other counties. The directors of Salisbury increased the term from seven to eight months. They have also resolved to organize a township high school at the opening of the term. In quite a number of districts the salaries were increased, notably so in Whitehall, North Whitehall, South Whitehall, Washington, Upper Milford, Upper Saucon, Weisenburg, Macungie borough, Slatington, and West Bethlehem. LYCOMING

Supt. Becht: Hughesville, Picture Rocks, Montoursville, South Williamsport, and McIntyre districts held graduation exercises. The classes were not large, but the students were well prepared in the subject-matter of the branches studied. The year's work has been generally satistactory.

SNYDER-Supt. Walborn: There are two new houses in process of building, one in West Perry and one in Centre township. Freeburg has added another school and strengthened the course of study. They expect to start a high school of the third class this term.

SOMERSET-Supt. Seibert: The teachers are nearly all engaged for the coming term. A great many of the boards deserve commendation for increasing teachers' salaries, and thereby encouraging our best teachers to remain in the profession.

the

SULLIVAN-Supt. Black: I opened the Sullivan County Normal School at Dushore, July 14, and continued it to August 8. It was pronounced very successful by those in attendance. Prof. E. F. Hill was instructor in English, History and Civics; Prof. J. E. R. Kilgore, in Mathematics; Dr. Henry H. Goddard, of West Chester, delivered twenty lectures on Psychology, Methods, and School Management. Dr. Goddard did good work for us. I trust that we shall see good results from it in our schools during the present and future school years. In my examinations I was greatly pleased with the work done in the new branches, Algebra and Civil Govern

ment.

UNION-Supt. Stapleton: Prof. Neff, the efficient principal of the Mifflinburg schools, has resigned. Prof. Brungard, of Centre county, takes his place. The Mifflinburg schools, under Prof. Neff, have risen to a high standard. Our schools are now all

supplied with teachers, although much difficulty was experienced in some districts. Nearly all who failed in the examinations, failed in Algebra--some of our oldest teachers. Those recently attending school did well in Algebra. Everything looks bright for the opening of school. Lewisburg has adopted a new course of study-an English and a Latin Scientific course of three and four years respectively. Gregg and Limestone townships have raised the salaries of their teachers.

VENANGO-Supt. Riddle: We held a very successful county institute at Oil City, August 25-29. The change of time from December to August seems to have proved very satisfactory to the teachers.

WARREN-Supt. Gunning: Sheffield is adding the finishing touches to a new school building, the total cost of which will be $20,000. The rapidly increasing population of this thriving town makes this new building necessary. Indications point to a better interest in educational matters among both the teachers and patrons of our schools. The teachers seem more anxious to improve themselves as teachers by attending school, etc. Many districts have increased the wages of teachers, and several have lengthened the term. Every township and many boroughs in the county have adopted Berkey's Manual and a course of study.

WASHINGTON-Supt. Hall: The schools have about all been supplied with teachers, but with some effort. A few young people have been employed that should be pupils rather than teachers. Teachers have been scarce, caused by higher bids and longer term of employment in the business world. These two elements, time and money, must be considered if we would compete for the best prepared of our young people as teachers, or our schools will retrograde. We are happy to report advanced wages all along the line this year, and in a number of places eight to ten months for term. Some are of the opinion that wages should have gone higher, and that they will by another year.

CHELTENHAM Twp. (Montgomery Co.)— Supt. Wagner: Superintendent's office was connected with the local telephone exchange, and principals were authorized to use the nearest pay-station for communicating with him. The Board has appointed a regular substitute teacher, who assists the superintendent in office work when not serving as a substitute.

COATESVILLE-Supt. Gordon: Work on our new high school building, which was commenced late last autumn, is progressing rapidly. The school board has appointed a principal for the high school, thus relieving the superintendent from the duties of that position. It also arranged for the opening of two new primary rooms next term, to relieve the greatly overcrowded condition of this department of our schools.

HAZLETON-Supt. Harman: The Board of

Controllers increased the salaries of teachers in the grades ten per cent. above the former maximum, making it now $55 per month. They elected an additional teacher in the high school and added chemistry to the course of study. We are much encouraged with the outlook for the coming term.

HOMESTEAD Supt. Kendall: By the courtesy of C. M. Schwab, the Homestead School Board was permitted to visit the manual training schools of Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. The superintendent and D. W. McKenney, principal of the C. M. Schwab Manual Training School were sent on a like mission to the New England cities. The C. M. Schwab Industrial School is nearing completion, and on this account it was deemed wise by Mr. Schwab to examine the best equipped schools so that none but the most improved machinery may be installed in the new school. A class of sixteen persons was graduated from the high school consisting of fourteen pupils from the regular course and two in the commercial course.

HUNTINGDON-Supt. Barclay: We have received and are using one of the Pennsylvania Traveling Libraries. The Board has made provision to grade, fence, and otherwise improve the grounds of the Third Ward building.

MT. CARMEL-Supt. Dean: The small-pox is over; pupils are admitted only on certificate of vaccination; but the strike is not settled, and while we are an orderly community, it has a demoralizing effect on the young. We cannot compel them to be vaccinated and so cannot compel them to attend school.

NEWPORT TWP. (Luzerne Co.) - Supt. Dewey: With this report I close my official connection with the schools of Newport township. As teacher, principal, and superintendent, I have served continuously for eighteen years. My thanks are due to the members of the school board who have been associated with me during these years, for their hearty co operation in every effort made to elevate the school system. Also to the faithful corps of teachers upon whom has been laid the arduous burden of training and educating the children. I shall not forget their hearty support, and they shall always have my best wishes for their continued success. The loyalty of pupils and patrons will ever be a pleasant memory, and I thank one and all for their many acts of kindness to me.

NORRISTOWN-Supt. Gotwals: The commencement exercises were held in the grand opera house, which was filled with an appreciative audience. The graduating class numbered fifty-three. Four prizes, of $5 each, were awarded to pupils doing the best work in the different grades of free-hand drawing; one prize of $10 for the best English composition written by a member of the Senior Class. The latter is given by

the Alumni Association of the high school; the former, by a private citizen. An additional prize of $5 was given this year by the Daughters of the American Revolution for the best historical essay. One feature, which added greatly to the success of our commencement, was an admirable address from our worthy State Superintendent, Dr. N. C. Schaeffer. His strong plea for the high school was highly appreciated.

READING-Supt. Foos: The contract has been awarded for the erection of a new eight-room school. $6,000 has been granted the Repair Committee for improvements on old buildings, such as painting, kalsomining, thermographs, sanitary flush-closets, hallheaters, etc., and the schools are in excellent repair. For additions to zoological and geological collections in Boys' and Girls' high schools, $500 has been granted, and $150 to comple equipment of new physical laboratory in Boys' high school. Three boys of junior class of the Boys' high school passed preliminary examinations for Harvard University in nineteen subjects, sufficient to admit them regularly had they not signified their intention of taking the preliminary examinations. Twenty-four of the fifty graduates of the school have applied for admission to various colleges.

SHAMOKIN-Supt. Howerth: Mr. James W. Alexander, of Danville, N. Y., has been elected principal of the high school. He is a graduate of the Geneseo State Normal School and of Princeton University, and has had eight years' experience in teaching. Mr. E. E. Arnold, of Hamilton, N. Y., has been elected to the department of mathematics of the high school. He is a graduate of the Oneonta State Normal School and of Colgate University, and has had three years' experience in teaching. Both are very able gentlemen. The Board has increased the salaries of several of the older teachers of the high school, thus showing its appreciation of competent and efficient service. The course of study of the high school has been revised with a view of correlating the studies. Latin composition is now to be introduced in the sophomore year and to continue throughout the course. Advanced United States History has been added to the course, and is to be given in the junior year. The course of study in the grades has been thoroughly revised. Drawing and science have been eliminated from the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, clay modeling from all grades, and algebra from the 8th grade. No night work shall be required of pupils below the 5th grade. The aim is to give the pupils time to think and to be absolutely thorough in the studies that they pursue. The Board of Directors has also decided that corporal punishment shall no longer be used as a means of discipline in any of the schools. To facilitate the management of the schools the several buildings are to be connected by telephone with the Superintendent's office.